2018 was a year to remember for Canadian wrestlers. Here are some of the top stories from 2018.

Di Stasio crowned World Champion

Before the match began, Di Stasio had already secured her second straight world championship medal, having won 75 kg bronze in 2017. The Canadian got the early lead in the final, scoring two points on a takedown within the first minute of action. That advantage held to the break. Thirty seconds into the second half of the match, Di Stasio got another takedown to put two more points on the board for a 4-0 lead. But her Mongolian opponent quickly cut the score in half, making it 4-2 with two minutes to go. Try as she might, Ochirbat could not get any closer as Di Stasio captured the gold medal.

Canada’s first two 2018 World Championships medallists celebrate! Justina Di Stasio and Danielle Lappage grew up wrestling each other

#BudaWrestle2018 pic.twitter.com/WQdaQSlSbq

— Wrestling Canada Lutte (@WrestlingCanada) October 24, 2018

Lappage resilient in return from injury

In 2018, Danielle Lappage returned from injury in a major way. The 28-year-old from Olds, Alta., captured silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Senior Worlds Championships. Lappage also won gold at the 2018 Klippan Lady Open and the 2018 Poland Open.

 

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No Pain No Gain 💪🏼@dlappage💪🏼

A post shared by Olympic Wrestling (@unitedworldwrestling) on Oct 25, 2018 at 2:43am PDT

Town caps off breakout year with a U23 World Championship gold

Alexandria Town had a 2018 to remember. Her gold medal at the U23 World Championships capped off a memorable year for the Scarborough, Ont., native. The 23-year-old burst onto the international scene with a bronze medal at the Pan American Championships in May, a silver at the World University Championships in September, and a twelfth-place finish at the Senior World Championships in October.

Barghout captures Junior World silver

Aly Barghout picked up Canada’s lone medal in the last match of the Junior World Championships.

Barghout, of Longueuil, Que., earned a spot in the 125 kg gold medal match after defeating Rahid Hamidli of Azerbaijan 3-2 in the semifinals.

The medal was the 20-year-old’s second international silver of the year. Barghout finished second at the 2018 Junior Pan Am Championships in Fortaleza, Brazil.

The Montreal YMHA wrestler improved from his ninth-place finish at last year’s Junior World Championships.

Luczak overcomes incredible hurdles on the way to emotional win at the Senior World Championships

Jacob Luczak of Thunder Bay, Ont., was the first Canadian to earn a victory at the 2018 Senior World Championships. His emotional journey to the championships was inspirational.

Weicker wins Commonwealth gold, World bronze

2018 was a landmark year for Diana Weicker. The 29-year-old mother of two won gold at the Commonwealth Games in April, and a bronze medal at the Senior World Championships in October.

Diana Weicker, a mother of two and a registered nurse just won a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BRONZE 🥉
🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/5l6c3ey4fK

— Wrestling Canada Lutte (@WrestlingCanada) October 25, 2018

Lee upgraded to bronze at Cadet World Championships

Carson Lee of Flin Flon, Man., has had his Cadet World Championship finish upgraded to a bronze medal.

Lee, who is now 17, had originally finished fifth in the 80 kg weight class at the championships.

Wiebe named Commonwealth Games closing ceremony flag-bearer

Erica Wiebe won her second Commonwealth Games gold medal and was named closing ceremony flag-bearer for Team Canada. She went on to capture bronze at the Senior World Championships, and Canada’s third medal of the night.

BREAKING NEWS! Wrestler Erica Wiebe has been selected at Team Canada’s closing ceremony flag bearer! https://t.co/srhLd2XmxQ Congrats @ericawiebe #LiveTheMoment pic.twitter.com/Vvh6c7BVz9

— Commonwealth Games Canada (@cgc_jcc) April 14, 2018